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And new philosophy calls all in doubt, The element of fire is quite put out; The sun is lost, and the earth, and no man's wit, Can well direct him where to look for it. And freely men confess that this world's spent, When in the planets, and the firmament They seek so many new; then see that this Is crumbled out again to his atomies. 'Tis all in pieces, all coherence gone; All just supply, and all relation: Prince, subject, Father, Son, are things forgot.

John Donne#44

ChangeChaosOrderScienceWorld

About this quote

What does it mean?
New science shatters old order making the world feel broken and without connection.
In plain terms
New discoveries make the world seem scattered and meaningless.
What can you take from it?
Change can feel like losing order.

Where it applies

  • scientific shift
  • personal crisis
  • social change

Putting it to work

  • find new meaning
  • adapt
  • accept

Questions to consider

  • How do you find order?
  • Is chaos necessary?

Another view

Change can also create better understanding.

More from John Donne

  1. Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls; For, thus friends absent speak.

    Permalink to quote #43
  2. We understood Her by her sight; her pure, and eloquent blood Spoke in her cheeks, and so distinctly wrought, That one might almost say, her body thought.

    Permalink to quote #45
  3. Ah cannot we As well as cocks and lions jocund be, After such pleasures?

    Permalink to quote #42

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